The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association recently honored Munson Medical Center with its 2023 Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus Award as well as the Target Stroke Honor Roll Elite Award. These national awards recognize Munson’s stroke time to treatment with 85 percent of stroke patients being treated in 60 minutes or less.
This is the 10th consecutive year Munson Medical Center has earned the award and reflects the hospital’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment based on nationally recognized, research-based guidelines. The Gold Plus Award will be acknowledged nationally in U.S. News and World Report and at the International Stroke Conference Feb. 7 - 9, 2024, in Phoenix, Ariz.
“Receiving the Get With the Guidelines recognition for the 10th consecutive year demonstrates a steadfast commitment to excellence and timely treatment,” said Kersti Bruining, M.D., co-medical director for the stroke program. “Patients suffering from a stroke can feel confident that Munson's care team consistently meets the high standards set by the American Heart Association/American Heart Association.”
To achieve the Gold Plus Award, the hospital must meet specific quality measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients within a designated period. Prior to discharge, patients also receive education on managing their health, risk factor modification, have a follow-up visit scheduled, and other care transition interventions. The award is based on care provided to 803 stroke patients in 2022.
The Target Stroke Honor Roll Elite Award recognizes door-to-treatment time for administering clot-dissolving medication. To receive the award, 85 percent of stroke patients must be treated in 60 minutes or less.
Statistics show that stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability in the United States. On average, someone in the U.S. suffers a stroke every 40 seconds and nearly 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.
More information on Munson Healthcare’s stroke program can be found at munsonhealthcare.org/stroke.